Auto-open heat transfer press

Abstract

A press is described having an upper platen. The press includes a support arm adapted to selectively move the upper platen between an open and a closed position. An electro-magnet is disposed proximate the support arm and configured to selectively secure the upper platen in the closed position.

1 . A press comprising: 
 an upper platen;    a support arm adapted to selectively move said upper platen between an open position and a closed position; and    an electro-magnet in operational communication with said support arm and configured to selectively secure said upper platen in said closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The press of  claim 1 , further including at least one heating element in mechanical communication with said upper platen.  
   
   
       3 . The press of  claim 1 , further including a lower platen disposed below and generally aligned with said upper platen and an operating arm in operational communication with said support arm.  
   
   
       4 . The press of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said operating arm is in selective magnetic communication with said electro-magnet.  
   
   
       5 . The press of  claim 1 , further including at least one gas spring disposed between said base and said support arm adapted to bias said upper platen to said open position.  
   
   
       6 . The press of  claim 1 , further including a visual indicator for signaling that at least one of a predetermined temperature, a predetermined time, and a predetermined pressure is achieved.  
   
   
       7 . The press of  claim 1 , further including an audible indicator for signaling that at least one of a predetermined temperature, a predetermined time, and a predetermined pressure is achieved.  
   
   
       8 . The press of  claim 1 , wherein said support arm provides a carrier in mechanical communication with said upper platen.  
   
   
       9 . The press of  claim 7 , wherein said carrier supports said electro-magnet.  
   
   
       10 . The press in  claim 1 , wherein said electro-magnet assists said support arm into said closed position.  
   
   
       11 . A press comprising: 
 a lower platen;    a base supporting the lower platen;    an upper platen disposed above said lower platen;    at least one heating element in mechanical communication with at least one of said upper platen and said lower platen;    a support arm pivotally coupled to said base about a first pivot axis and selectively moving said upper platen between an open position spaced apart from said lower platen and a closed position closely adjacent said lower platen;    an electro-magnet in operational communication with said support arm, said electro-magnet being configured to selectively secure said upper platen in the closed position for a predetermined time; and    an operating arm in operational communication with said support arm.    
   
   
       12 . The press in  claim 11 , wherein said electro-magnet assists said support arm and said operating arm to the closed position.  
   
   
       13 . The press in  claim 11 , further including at least one gas spring disposed between said base and said support arm biasing said upper platen from said closed position to said open position.  
   
   
       14 . The press of  claim 11 , further including a visual indicator for signaling that at least one of a predetermined temperature, a predetermined time, and a predetermined pressure has been achieved.  
   
   
       15 . The press of  claim 11 , further including an audible indicator for signaling that at least one of a predetermined temperature, a predetermined time, and a predetermined pressure has been achieved.  
   
   
       16 . A closure mechanism comprising: 
 a base;    a support arm pivotally coupled to said base; and    an electrical securing mechanism in operational communication with said support arm for moving said support arm between an open position and a closed position.    
   
   
       17 . The closure mechanism of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one gas spring disposed between said base and said support arm adapted to bias said support arm from said closed position to said open position.  
   
   
       18 . The closure mechanism of clam  16 , wherein said electrical securing mechanism is an electro-magnet.  
   
   
       19 . The closure mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein said electro-magnet assists said support arm into said closed position.  
   
   
       20 . The closure mechanism of  claim 16 , further including at least one gas spring disposed between said base and said support arm biasing said support arm from said closed position to said open position.  
   
   
       21 . A closure mechanism comprising: 
 a base;    a first guide pivotally secured to said base;    a second guide pivotally secured to said first guide;    an operating arm pivotally disposed between said first guide and said second guide; and    a support arm pivotally secured to said base and said second guide.    
   
   
       22 . The closure mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one gas spring disposed between said base and said support arm is adapted to bias said support arm from a closed position to an open position.  
   
   
       23 . The closure mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein an electro-magnet disposed between said support arm and said operating arm assists said support arm into a closed position.